As County Attorney

José Rodríguez established an unequaled record of achievement as El Paso County Attorney. During his 17-year tenure, he:

Increased protections for abused and neglected children and the elderly
Improved the system for the mentally challenged
Provided increased enforcement for victims of family violence
Initiated community juvenile prosecution
Created Community Safety Zones with the police to stop gang violence and transnational gang drug activity
Established Teen Court and helped create first Drug Court

Fought for El Paso’s fair share of state highway funding in Courts of Inquiry
Recovered millions from bail bond forfeitures, hot checks, and hospital liens
Helped obtain funding for El Paso’s Enterprise and Empowerment Zones
Consolidated the County’s criminal justice system with the District Attorney
Saved over a million dollars each year on jail inmate medical bills
Worked for apprenticeship programs and higher wages in county construction projects
Assisted in development of county tax abatement and incentives policy

Helped establish the Border Health Institute and new Veterans Home
Worked to establish four-year Texas Tech University medical school
Supported building of Children’s Hospital
Fought for equity in Medicaid and CHIP funding and fair Medicaid reimbursement rates to ensure access to health care
Helped develop County health legislative agendas
Spearheaded enactment of colonia legislation and county building codes
Developed health legislative agenda for Texas Border Coalition
Recovered over $16 million for health care programs from tobacco litigation
Established first environmental enforcement unit to fight polluters and helped create first environmental state court
Successfully represented County against Sierra Blanca nuclear waste dump
Worked against the re-opening of Asarco copper smelter
Established an effective countywide anti-graffiti program